Aeroplane and other heavier-than-air machine



AEROPLANE AND OTHER HEAVIER THAN AIR MACHINE Filed Sept. 14, 1925 s sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Bare LQTH A TTORNEY.

May 18,1926. I 11584376 B. LOTH AFlRoPLANE AND OTHER HEAUER' THAN AIR MACHINE? Filed Sept. 14, 1925 s sheets-sheet. 2

/INVENTO R EN LoTH aim Arrorzu 5y MEYTK T976.

B. 'LOTH AEROPLANE AND OTHER HEAVIER THAN AIR' MACHINE Filed Sept. 14, 1925 3 Shuts-Shoat 5 mum JNVENTO R,

1?; Km v ATT R'N E Patented May 18, 1926.

UNITED'YSTATESI PATENT OFFICE.

'BEN' LOTH, or cmcmna'rr, onro.

AEROPLAN E AND OTHER HEAYIER-THAN-AIR MACHINE.

. Application filed September 14, 1925. Serial No. 56,290. I

toward the earth for any'reason, as due to' 1o accidents or other mishaps, control of the machine is lost by the operator, whereby riding an aeroplane is considered extremely hazardous by the majority of people and its popularity and universal adoption as a common means for transportation has been materially hindered and affected. I

v The objects of my invention are to provide simple, efficient, practical and economical safety means adapted to reduce the rate of velocity at which a heavier than air machine will fall toward earth; to providesaid safety means with a folding construction ada ted to not'efl'ect the usual operation or flig t of said aeroplane; to provide mechanism adapted to be quickly and conveniently operated by the operator of said machine,

whereby said safety means can be instantly -utilized for the intended purposes.

My invention consists 1n providing a plurality of downwardly curved folded wings attached to a heavier than air machine; and

' -in providing conveniently manually operative means for spreading saidwings laterally of the body of said machine and in normally horizontal positions.

My invention, further, conslsts in the combination, arrangement of the parts and in the details of cons and claimed. In thedi'awingsr Fig. 1 is a SldG BlQVatIOII showing a curved ruction, as herein set forth hollow tube pivot-allylconnected with a side.

of the body of igportion of an aeroplane;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the wire winding mechanism shown attached to the inner side of the top of a portion of an aeroplane body; 7 Fig. 3 is a section taken on a line corresponding to 3-3 in Fig. 4, and with parts 60 removed; f

Fig. 4 is a-plan view of the winding mechanism, showmg the wires partly broken away;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of adownwardly curved wing shown attached to the side of a portion of an aeroplane;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an aeroplane showmg the wings in spreaded positions;

Fig. 7 is a perspective View showing portions of an aeroplane and showing one wing in partly folded position;

Fi 8 is a' perspective view of an aeroplane showing a modified construction of the wings shown in spreaded positions; and

plane showing convexo-concave wings in spreaded positions.

In the preferred construction of my invention, as exemplified on aeroplane, or heavierjthan air machine 1, having usual upper and lower planes 2 and 3 suitably secured to body 4, I provide folding wings 5, 6, 7 and 8 under the normal level of plane 3 and, respectively, having their inner edges 9, 10', 11 and 12 suitably secured, as by cement, in close engagement with the adjacent sides of body 4 of the aeroplane. Suitable means, as byinterlocking the adjacent edges 13 and 14 of the wings, are provided for maintaining the wings in spreaded positions irrespective of the air pressure.

The material from which the coverings 15 of the wings are made, preferably consists of extremelythin and light weight material, such as silk, having considerable, tensile strength adapted to withstand thestrains to which it is subjected.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an aero-- Hollow tubes or longitudinal members 16 aluminum, especially adapted to unafi'ectedly withstand the considerable tensile strains to which they will be subjected.

In Fig. 6 I show tubes 16 of each wing pivotally connected at a common point 17 to the side of body 4, whereas in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 the tubes 16 are pivotally connected to U-supports 18 fixed in spaced apart relation to the sides of body 4:,whereby the inner ends of the tubes are supported at several points 19 relative to body 4. In the construction of the wings shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 all of the tubes of each wing except the outer tubes 20 may be slidably secured to coverings-15, and if desired U- supports 18 may be staggeredto permit the wings, when in folded positions to he. 111

close engagement with the sides of the body 4.

In Figs. 6, 7 and 8 straight tubes 16 are shown, whereby when wings v5, 6, 7 and 8 are in spreaded positions all of the portions of coverings 15 extend laterally from body 4 of the aeroplane. In Fig. 9 tubes 16 are shown curved downwardly whereby when the wings 5, 6, 7 and 8 are in spreaded positions the wings, substantially, represent a convexo-concave form 21 of similar shape, as an opened umbrella covering or an opened parachute, whereby when aeroplane 1, is not under the control of operator 1, and falls toward the earth the air pressure within concave side 22 of form 21--considerably reduces the velocity at which the aeroplane not equipped with my invention will all. Furthermore, if while falling the aeroplane inverts itself, then convex side 23 of form 21 is in downward position, whereby the force of the air pressure contacting the outer convex edges 24 of the wings tends to maintain aeroplane 1 in substantially a uniform inverted position for the entire dis tance of the downward descent, thereby considerably reducing the velocity of the downward fall, whereas when an aeroplane without the invention falls toward earth, due to the weight of the motor in the forward por-.

tion of body 4, the aeroplane falls with its front or nose, 25 downward, whereby only front edges 26 of planes 2 and 3 and front 25 of body 4 offers resistance to the produced air pressure, thereby permitting the aeroplane to fall with greatly increased velocity, whereby the aeroplane contacts the earth with such great force that fatality to the occupants is almost certain.

If required, ends 28 of tubes 16 can be connected with body 4 of the aeroplane for the purpose of supporting the wings; against the air pressure during the fall of aeroplane 1. Also the location of wings 5, 6, 7 and 8, relative to body 4 may be altered under varying conditions of the structures of the heavier than air machine equipped with the invention.

When aeroplane 1 is making a usual flight, and at all other times except when the aeroplane is out of the control of driver 1'. wings 5, 6, 7 and 8 remain in folded positions adjacent the respective sides of body 4, where-. by the invention does not interfere with the usual operations of the aeroplane to which it is attached. Also, the coverings 15 and tubes 16 are extremely light of weight and, therefore, the invention adds but little additional freight for the aeroplane to carry. For the purpose of providing convenient means for quickly unfolding wings 5, 6, 7 and 8, I provide winding mechanism 29 comprising hollow drum 30 rotatably mounted on shaft 31 extending longitudinally through the drum and journaled in the cencured to inner side 38 of top 39 of body 4 of the aeroplane, as by bolts 40.

7 Inside the drum is a .suitable tension spring 41 having ends 42 and 43, respectively, fixed to shaft 31 and drum 30. End 32 of the drum has ratchet teeth 44 therein adapted to be engaged by pawl 45 pivoted to support 36 for maintaining the drum in nonrotatable position against the force exerted by spring 41 after and during the time handle 46 is manually revolved for the purpose of winding spring 41 in tension around shaft 31.

lVhen wings 5, 6, 7 and 8 are in folded position and operator 1 of aeroplane 1 desires to quickly unfold the wings to the positions shown in Figs. 6, 8 and 9 the operator reaches forward and manually forces pawl 45 upwardly from engagement with teeth 44 as by upward pressure of-knob 47 fixed to the pawl, whereby spring 41 rotates drum 30 and winds links or wires 48 and 49, (fixed to the drum) respectively, in grooves 34 and 35 of the drum.

Line 48, threaded in pulley 5O fixed to bottom 51 of body 4, is subdivided into lines '52 and 53, respectively threaded in pulley 54 and 55, respectively, fixed to outer edge 56 of plane 3. The outer ends 57 and 58, respectively, of the lines 52 and 53, respectively, are fixed to: outer ends 59 and 60, respectively, of longitudinal members or tube 20.

Line 49, threaded in pulley 61, fixed to bottom 51 of body 4, is subdivided into lines 62 and 63, respectively, threaded in pulleys 64 and 65, respectivelyffixed to the outer edge 66 of plane 3. The'outer ends 67 and 68, respectively, of lines 62 and 63, are respectively fixed to outer ends 69' and 7 0, respectively, of longitudinal members or tubes 20.

Handle 46, suitably connected with shaft 31 may be removed from connection with drum except at times when it is desired to wind spring 41 in tension around the shaft,

whereby when knob 47 is manually operated, and pawl 45 is forced from engagement with teeth 44, the drum 30 quickly winds lines 48 and 49, respectively, in grooves 34 and 35 of the drum,,and draws ends 59-60 and 69-70, respectivel v, of tubes 20 toward plane 3, and into interlocking engagement with each other to the positions shown in Figs. 6, 8 and 9.

It is apparent that I have invented a high- 4 ly desirable safety device whereby aeroplanes, or other heavier than air machlnes, can be rendered considerably safer as means Y the occupants of the aeroplane or other for transportation, for the reason that if while the aeroplane is in flight the motor or other part of the machine is disabled the operator can quickly cause the wings to spread in the pbsition shown in Figs. 6, 8 and'9, whereby the rate of the velocity at which the aeroplane normally falls toward the earth is materially reduced, thereby giving the occupants the opportunity of utilizing various kinds and suitable safety devices to enable them to land upon the earth without serious injury. Also, if necessary heavier than .air machine having my invention incorporated therein may remain within the falling machine, and ordinarily the force with which it contacts the earth is not such as'will'cause fatal injury to the occ'npants.

While I have chosen to illustrate the forms and constructions of my invention by the herein drawings and explanations of the 'same, it is understood that my invention resides in the combination, arrangement of the arts and in the details of construction, as hereinafter claimed. It is further understood that changes in the recise embodiment of the invention, as disclosed herein, can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

LThe combination with a heavier than air machine, of a plurality of spaced apartdownwardly curved tubes attached adjacent the bottom of the body of said machine and adapted to be folded, a coverin for said tubes, whereby a wingiscfor ne wing having its inner edge connected to said body, a line secured to said wing, winding means connected. with said line whereby in cases of emergency said winding means can be utilized to quickly s read said wing,sub-

stantially as and for t e purpose specified.

2. The combination with a heavier thanair machine, of a plurality of spaced apart downwardly curved, tubes attached adjacent the bottom of body of said machine, and adapted to be folded, a coverin for said tubes whereby a wing is forme and said wing having its inner edge cementedto said body, a-line secured to said wing, winding means connected with said line whereby in cases of emergency said winding means can be utilized to quickly spread said wing, substantially as and for the urposes specified. 3. The combination wit an acre lane, of

v a plurality of wings normally-fol ed adjacent and cemented to the body of said aeroplane, a' plurality of tubular members, re

spectively, secured to'said wings, a rotatable J and said drum fixed to said body, plurality of lines respectively secured to the outer ends of said tubular members and to said drum, mecha nism for rotating said drum whereb said lines are wound about said drum t ereby pivoting said tubular members laterally of said body and spreading said wings normally in a horizontal plane below the lower plane of said machine, substantially as described. a

4. The combination with an acre lane, of

a plurality of wings normally fol ed adja-- cent and attached to the body of said aeroplane, a -'plurality of downwardly curved tuular members pivotally connected with (the body. of said machine and respectively se cured to the edges of said wings, a rotatable drum fixed to said body, a plurality of lines respectively secured to the outer ends of said"; tubular members and leading, under; the.

lower plane of said machine'to said drum,

mechanism for rotatin said. drum, whereby said lines arewound a out said drum thereby pivoting said tubular members laterally of said body and spreading said wings substan-tially in the form of an open umbrella cover.

5. The combination with an aereplane, of a dplurality of curved wings norma y a jacent and attached to the boldfi of said aeroplane, a lurality of downwa ycurved 1 tubes pivotay connected with the body of cent and attached to the body of said aerolane, a plurality of downwardly curved tuular members ivotall connected with the portion of. the the lower plane and, V respectively to the edges of said wings", a rotatab lar members and leading under the lower folded e outer ends of said tubes and.

1]. y 0 said machine below le drum fixed to said body, a plurality of lines respectively secured to the outer ends of said tubuplane of said machine to said drum, mechalinesare wound about 'said drum t ereby pivotin said tubular members laterally of said he y and spreading said wings, substantially in the form of an open umbrella cover.

nism for rotating said drum whereb said 

